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Doggers eye Chieftains in state opener

Dewey High School’s baseball team won’t be getting any grace period to ease into the program’s first appearance in the state tourney since the 1980s.

The Bulldoggers will have to take on the state’s No. 1-ranked Berryhill Chieftains in the state Class 4A opener Thursday. The game is set to start at 6:30 p.m., at the Edmond Memorial High School field.

The Dewey Doggers (27-5) and the Chieftains (33-5) didn’t meet in the regular season.

“The kids are excited,” Dewey head coach Eddie Herchock said. “It doesn’t matter who it’s going to be. No matter what team we draw it’s going to be tough at this level. … We’ll get down there and roll out the ball and play.”

Herchock declined to say whether his established ace pitcher Carson LaRue will be his opening day starter.

Opposing teams scored only a couple of runs all season off LaRue, a junior who posted numerous double-digit strikeout games.

If he’s not pitching, LaRue likely will play at either second base or shortstop.

Junior Cody Robinson should be penciled in at shortstop or second base, wherever LaRue’s not stationed. Senior Jesse Murguia is another option at second base.

Junior Trevor Hudgens anchors the infield defense at catcher, while sophomore Lane Donaho and junior Trenton Keene are the regular first baseman and third baseman, respectively.

Nic Barnett has been the back-up third baseman and Justin Davis serves as the backup rightfielder and a courtesy runner.

Bryce Short backs up Hudgens at catcher and also is frequently called on as a courtesy runner.

This group — plus the remainder of the team — are a unique team of destiny.

“It’s incredible,” Herchock said about this year’s odyssey that witnessed the squad snap back from last year’s 12-12 record to earning a spot in this season’s state tourney. “I’m so happy for the kids to have this opportunity. I always knew they had the ability if they just believed in themselves and seized the moment. … More than anything, it’s believing in what we’re doing and believing in one another. They enjoy playing with each other and playing for each other.”

Berryhill carved out a 24-3 record since March 22, and has allowed a total of only five runs in its last seven games.

The Chieftains “have a great pitching staff,” said Herchock.

Throwing the biggest shadow among Berryhill’s mound brigade is imposing (6-foot-3, 195 pound) senior right-handed hurler Zach Jackson, who has committed to play for the University of Arkansas.

Jackson received a spot on the 2012 Perfect Game preseason underclassmen All-American high honorable mention team. The 90-miles-per-hour human cannon powered through the 2012 campaign with an 11-0 record and 0.68 earned run average.

The cumulative varsity record for Jackson during his three seasons was 25-3, with a 2.04 ERA and 277 strikeouts.

A 2-1 victory April 16 against Catoosa High School rates as one of Jackson’s top showings in the 2013 regular season.

“I’m assuming that’s who we’ll see,” Herchock said about Jackson.

Berryhill also brings back several players from last year’s state runner-up squad that lost 2-1 to Hilldale in the 2012 state final, Herchock noted.

Despite the size of the Goliath-like challenge, Dewey will have its sling shot well strung to try to pull off the major upset.